Pyrazoloacridine in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed non small cell lung cancer ineligible for higher priority protocols Sputum cytology acceptable Stage IIIB/IV Must have measurable or evaluable disease Lesion outside prior radiotherapy fields Cytology-positive pleural effusion and ascites are neither measurable nor evaluable No brain metastases on CT PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count greater than 2,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL Other: No pregnant or nursing women Negative pregnancy test required of fertile women Effective contraception required of fertile patients Blood/body fluid analyses within 7 days prior to registration Imaging/exams for tumor measurement within 28 days prior to registration PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: One prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy and recovered AND Progressive disease outside of radiation port Surgery: Recovered from any prior surgery